On Bulletins

It was once a serious issue in my congregation. I had started, over time, to include more information in our weekly bulletin. Initially it was simply the responses of the congregation. Then I included more of the priest text. Soon, the hymns. Announcements.

No papers flying about. No need to juggle books and worry about choosing the right one. Ushers freed from handing out the various additional hymnals when we needed them. We included sermons by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Presiding Bishop. We could use more from the Book of Occasional Services. It was full, and comprehensive. Like Anglican and Catholic Christianity should be.

Of course, this caused a little consternation. Our bulletins have become fairly thick, including the lessons, ministry schedules and announcements. But of course, quietly, a few asked why we didn’t use the Book of Common Prayer or the hymnal any more (although we often still did for non-Sunday worship), and more complained about the destruction of large forests for the sake of the priest’s pride. “We’ll help people who are visiting” they would assert confidently.

The sentiment was generous, but I’d never seen it happen.

The central question I posed back to them: what do recent members and visitors think? Has it made worship more comfortable for them? Did they come to our congregation because they wanted to become more familiar with the books? Or were they coming to be a part of a hospitable, welcoming community? Most of the few individuals who raised the questions about the bulletin were people who grew up in the church. After many years of formation, the seasoned don’t experience our service the same way visitors and seeker do. I’d change it back if that’s what our recent members desired.

Some enjoy learning the intricacies of worship and its complexity. But a service that is too obscure can also be an unnecessary stumbling bloc to individuals looking for a community or a spiritual home. So my criteria for analyzing whether a bulletin should be complete, is to first learn what the new members think.

And let’s face it: saving paper is a ridiculous criteria. Perhaps once we’ve given up seating meat twice a week; forgone air travel; started walking or riding our bike as a primary transportation, then we can get all fussy about paper. Download it on an ereader! But until then, it seems to be miserliness masked as righteousness; a sacrificing of hospitality for some reason that cannot be fathomed.

But there are three challenges a full bulletin does not accomplish on its own.

A full bulletin is merely one example of hospitality. But it cannot, on its own, overcome a parish that does not really want to grow. It comes out of a generous spirit; it does not create it. It cannot hide it.

A full bulletin cannot mask rushed, incompetent, or lazy worship. Worship that does not allow for some silence and reverence; that has cringe worthy music and singing; and includes dull, tepid and inauthentic preaching; will not be aided by a comprehensive bulletin, even if it is illuminated by hand by a order of monks with gold leaf.

Having a complete bulletin also does not excuse any pastor from teaching, in some fashion, the tradition. We should be actively, continuously, repeatedly, be helping people explore their relationship with the transcendent using the many practices at our disposal, whether it be the symbols we hold, the words we read, or the prayers we say. Those who want to learn about the Daily Office, about asperges and anointing, church seasons and colors, should be offered those opportunities. And certainly, we can deepen people’s spirituality as best we can, so that they do not need even the bulletin or the BCP. They can just look up, around, and participate in the liturgy by simply lifting their hearts to God, and learning to listen.

But we do this in steps. Certainly do not skimp on strong worship; work hard on your sermons; love the stranger. As you have done these these, you will find a complete bulletin will be a useful tool for everyone.